Michael M Sampsel, P. E., was born in Needles, California, and raised in Houston, Texas. He attended the University of New Mexico on a naval ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. As a junior officer in the Navy, he attained at-sea experience and deck qualifications to operate ships under fleet steaming conditions. He completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the naval Post-graduate School at Monterey, California, and later served with the Navy’s Engineering Duty Corps, with sea and shore assignments in naval shipbuilding, ship modernization, ship repair, and nuclear submarine construction programs.

After completing 20 years of service with the U.S. Navy, Mr. Sampsel changed careers and worked with two companies formulating ship maintenance plans, marine design projects including helium/oxygen mixed-gas diving, and nonintrusive machinery diagnostics. During the mid-1980s, he formed his own consulting business, and accomplished various mechanical, marine, design and forensic projects. Mr. Sampsel is a member of several professional organizations including NAFE, NSPE, ASME, ASNE, and SNAME. He is a licensed professional engineer in California and Mississippi.

During his naval career, Mr. Sampsel took advantage of the Navy’s recreational power and sail boating programs at various duty stations. He has completed a number of small boat training courses and seminars. He is currently a member of the Navy Yacht Club in San Diego, and crews aboard various San Diego based boats for inland and near-shore ocean races. He handles a variety of boating tasks including navigation. Mr. Sampsel is a member of the San Diego Sail and Power Squadron and has taught the Power Squadron’s Advanced Piloting and Celestial Navigation courses, and the abbreviated general public boating safety course with emphasis on personal watercraft.

Boat Accident Reconstruction and Litigation, Third Edition, covers everything from the way boats function to how they are designed. It will introduce you to fluid mechanics and will explain the numerous formulae and other methods used to analyze boat accidents. It even includes an extensive series of appendices of useful Coast Guard regulations and rules. Click on the book title for more information